Lee Jae-myung, Asked About 'Yeongsu Meeting,' Says "Of Course We Should Meet and Talk"

Leading the Elected Officials to Visit the National Cemetery for Tribute
"Yoon, Opposition Party Cooperation Needed for State Affairs"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated that the possibility of a summit meeting with President Yoon Seok-yeol is "of course, we should meet and have a dialogue."

On the morning of the 12th, Lee Jae-myung led the party leadership and elected officials to visit the National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, to pay respects to the patriotic martyrs. Right after the visit, he told reporters, "The general election is over, but the difficult reality of people's livelihoods has not ended yet," adding, "What the people appealed for with their votes is precisely the recovery of livelihoods." He continued, "Regardless of party lines, we must properly heed the will of the people expressed in the election results, do our best to alleviate the people's suffering, and overcome the economic crisis. The Democratic Party will become a humble and faithful tool of the people."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, along with the 4.10 general election district winners and Democratic Union co-leaders Yoon Young-deok and Baek Seung-ah, visited the National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on the 12th to pay tribute to the patriotic martyrs. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

When asked if he would accept a summit meeting if President Yoon proposed it, Lee replied, "Politics fundamentally involves dialogue and compromise, so of course we should meet and of course we should have a dialogue," adding, "It is only regrettable that we have not done so until now." When asked if he planned to propose it again himself, he avoided a direct answer by saying, "President Yoon, who is responsible for the administration of this country, naturally needs the cooperation and collaboration of the opposition."

Lee emphasized again, "If the goal is to crush the opposition party, then there is no need to have dialogue or show respect," but added, "If you think that the National Assembly is another pillar leading the administration of this country besides the president, and that the separation of powers is a fundamental principle embedded in the constitutional order of this country, then it is right to have dialogue and mutually compromise on differing opinions. That is the basic constitutional order of the democratic republic of Korea."

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung paid respects at the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on the 12th and left a guestbook entry. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Regarding the relationship with the People’s Innovation Party, which secured the status of the 'third party in the National Assembly,' Lee said, "To judge and check the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and to carry out necessary reforms, we must cooperate without neglecting even a single seat," adding, "We should meet with Representative Jo as soon as possible to have dialogue and consultations."

Regarding the possibility of meeting with the medical community, he said, "Of course, I intend to meet." Lee stated, "Medical reform is necessary, but I think the issue became complicated because of hidden political elements," adding, "The government's role is to prioritize the nation and the people, create reasonable alternatives, and adjust interests without major backlash, but trying to solve the problem through forceful, coercive suppression only made things worse." He continued, "The medical community also had a problem with excessively radical responses and should exercise restraint," but emphasized, "However, the ultimate responsibility lies with the government, so even now, we must present reasonable alternatives and engage in serious dialogue, even if it means staying up all night."